You play as Cole Phelps, a war hero just back home from killin' Nazis. It's 1947 and the LAPD is so deeply corrupted only a golden boy like Cole Phelps could possibly improve their image. Phelps must deal with this corruption in the department first-hand while solving cases, lovin' up the ladies, and shooting gangsters.

Rockstar Games has stated that the cases throughout the game were "inspired by real cases" of the era, such as the infamous Black Dahlia case that occurred in Los Angeles around that time period. Every new investigation starts with a crime scene and depending on the details you discover there, you'll set the next story element in motion.

In addition to the case inspiration, Rockstar Games has also stated that "90 percent of downtown's buildings and signage were recreated for the game with authentic 40's type and design." Expect to see familiar landmarks such as the Los Angeles City Hall.

When's it coming out?

May 17, 2011 for PS3 and Xbox 360.

What's the gameplay like?

It's really an old-school adventure game, where you search for clues at crime scenes and then interrogate witnesses and suspects until you figure out who committed the crime. From your start on the Patrol Desk in the LAPD, you work your way up through Traffic, Homicide, Vice, and Arson as you successfully solve cases along the way. Every case has "only one truth," so it's up to you to find the best route to get it.

How do interrogations work?

L.A. Noire features some pretty hot tech called MotionScan, which perfectly recreates the facial animations -- even the eye movements -- of actors. Your job is to read the character's face and mannerisms and figure out if they are telling the truth, holding something back, or flat out lying.

Given a button to decide if the suspect is telling the truth, lying, or if you doubt them, you'll then lock or unlock options as to how to proceed based on your success. Wrongly accuse someone and you may no longer be able to utilize their information to finish the case.

How does it compare to GTA?

It really doesn't. You're a good guy -- there's no question there. While you can explore a very realistic-looking Los Angeles, there's no sandbox here. It's more about solving cases than playing darts with friends. There are shootouts though and the cover system and controls are like GTA IV. Car chases and the pursuit of suspects also play a critical role in the progression of the game, but this isn't a game where you'll be yanking citizens from their vehicles.

Actually, yes there are. If you purchase the game on Playstation 3, you'll have access to an additional Traffic case called "Consul's Car" that isn't available on Xbox.

Certain retailers are also offering pre-order incentives to get you to use their services. Buyers who purchase at Walmart will get access to a Traffic Desk case called "Slip of the Tongue." GameStop is offering a Vice Desk case called "The Naked City." The retailer-specific cases will be available on both Xbox 360 and PS3.

How's it looking?

It's really, really different and that's pretty exciting, but it's hard to say how the adventure elements will play out. If interrogations feel dynamic and not frustrating, L.A. Noire will be something special.

The MotionScan technology really captures the actors portraying the roles and you'll quite literally recognize some familiar faces throughout the game that you've seen in movies and on television.